Poster Presentation
Wednesday, 19 July 2006
9:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Wednesday, 19 July 2006
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Development and Psychometric Evaluation of an Instrument: The Neonatal Infection Control and Compliance Index (NICCI) to Measure Infection Control Compliance in the NICU Environment
Penny C. Bennett-Baird, RNC, MSN, Nursing, The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College, Brownsville, TX, USA
| Learning Objective #1: indentify infection control variables utilized in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for the prevention of nosocomial infections in the neonate. |
| Learning Objective #2: understand the steps in the development and psychometric testing of a new instrument developed for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). |
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was as follows: (a) to develop and perform psychometric evaluation of a newly developed observational instrument that would be used to measure infection control compliance within the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and (b) to test the instruments estimated validity and reliability.
The lack of research specific to this special patient population was identified and motivated the development of a new instrument specific to the neonatal environment that would measure infection control compliance in the NICU.
A thorough literature review was performed which identified specific variables that were considered effective nursing practices and patient care procedures in decreasing the risk of nosocomial infections (NIs) in hospitalized neonates.
A survey containing these variables was sent to a group of Neonatal and Advanced Practice Nurses who work in the field of Neonatology charging them with validating the ability of each variable to assist in infection control. Statistical analysis was used to evaluate each item for its correlation to infection control.
The variables selected for measuring infection control in the NICU obtained from the national survey was placed in an observational tool. The observational instrument, called The NICCI, was utilized in the NICU environment at two local hospitals with Level II nurseries. The observational was then tested for its reliability and validity through established psychometric testing procedures. The ultimate goal is the development of an instrument that is both valid and reliable in its ability to measure infection control compliance within the NICU environment. A breach in infection control compliance would increase the chances of a neonate acquiring a nosocomial infection while hospitalized. Any compromise in infection control procedures leading to the acquisition of a preventable infection could ultimately affect the developmental outcome of an infant who is already immunologically vulnerable.
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